R2. British Championships - Foxhills - 17th April 2022

The 2nd Round of the Revo ACU British Championship was at Foxhills in Surrey.  Once an Iconic Track.  Now one that is very unforgiving, rough and tough to ride.  The weather was glorious for the Easter Sunday race and the MX1 class was extremely stacked with class riders. 

However, team Verde had a weekend that they would like to put behind them.  The speed and performance from 2 out of 3 riders impacted on their results and left them sliding down the Championship table.  However, one rider had an awesome day, improving on his performance at Culham, gaining championship points and riding consistently throughout. 

BAILEY JOHNSTON – MX2 

Bailey was the Teams Star of the weekend.  He moved up from the Rookie 125 Class this season, straight into Pro MX2.  Culham saw him gain his first pro point but his improvement at Foxhills showed courage and determination on a track that wasn’t his favourite.   

Bailey was pleased with his 19th place finish in qualification.  However, race one was tough.  A couple of early crashes knocked his confidence and he struggled to get into the flow.  He relaxed towards the end of the race and put his 25th place finish down to experience.  However, in race 2 he got a much better start coming round the bend in 16th place. He held his own, rode smoothly, found his flow and held his position from beginning until the end, finishing Moto 2 in an excellent 16th place.  This was more than both he and the team expected from his 2nd pro race.  Showing his consistency on such a brutal track leaves us with high expectations for Round 3 at Lyng, a favourite track for many riders and one that suits Bailey’s riding preferences.  So today: P25, P16 for 20th overall. 

KYLE MCNICOL – MX2 

The days racing didn’t start off great for Kyle.  A big off in qualifying shook his confidence and happen contributed to his overall performance for the rest of the day.   Although his fall was early on, he did manage to gain composure and put in a reasonable time in his 3rd lap.  However, it only secured him a 20th place gate pick as opposed to his 2nd place in round 1! 

In race one Kyle just couldn’t settle, slipping off on more than one occasion.  His lines weren’t inventive and his attempts to pass were few and far between.  This reflected on his speed and overall position in the first race, which he finished a Dire P22.  After chatting to the team and re-focusing, he was determined to turn the days results around.  Going out into Moto 2 Kyle got an excellent jump out the gate and headed down the start straight in pole position, his confidence regained.  But at the first bend a couple of GP riders cut and crashed in front of him, causing carnage which he was mixed up in.  His confidence once again taking a turn for the worse, he didn’t jump back on the bike as quick as the other riders and an angry Kyle continued with the race.  He gained a few places, then lost a few back.  The speed and determination just wasn’t there.  He finished Moto 2 in P20.  So today:  P22, P20 for 23rd overall.  He now moved from 4th place in the Championship down to 8th. 

JAKE MILLWARD – MX1 

Jake’s days racing wasn’t great.  He showed promise on occasions, but his speed and consistency just didn’t reflect his ability in any shape or form.  He gained P12 in qualification, 3 seconds behind Searle, Gilbert and Kullas, all of which he was on par with at Round 1.  

Race One didn’t start off great either.  Not too bad a start.  Jake came round in 8th place, but his speed just wasn’t a patch on the top 5 riders.  He started to lose places.  Halfway through the first race he put in a good fast lap but unfortunately his back brake then went!  The track was brutal, fast and hard pack.  Jake pulled off gaining no points. 

Fresh brakes, an overall of the bike and time to relax, reflect and regroup, Jake went out determined in race 2.  He set out all guns blazing but ended up with a big crash on the first lap.  Over the next 5 laps Jake managed to pull back from 21st to 16th but his speed didn’t regain once he had the open track ahead of him!  The riders around him were putting in much faster lap times than the beginning of the race, as they weren’t as tightly grouped, and track was compacting.  Jakes speed remained unchanged and was far slower than the riders at the front of the pack (whom he is usually on par with).  He ended Moto 2 in 16th place.  So today:  P27/DNF, P16 for 19th overall.  He now moved from 3rd place in the Championship down to 9th. 

QUOTE FROM TEAM MANAGER: ADRIAN KIRK 

Today’s overall performance from both Pro Riders was unacceptable.  Both are capable of top 5 positions and top 10 in a bad race.  Their speed performance just wasn’t of that which we all know they are capable of.  On a positive note, Bailey Johnston rode awesome and conducted himself in an extremely professional manor throughout the weekend.  He is gaining positions each week and we hope for top 10 finishes by the end of the season.